Transport bosses silent over A358 dualling scheme
Reports surfaced in early-March that the scheme was being cancelled, with one local land agent alleging he had “been told to settle all claims"
Transport bosses are silent over the future of a major road improvement scheme in Somerset following rumours of its cancellation.
National Highways (formerly Highways England) has been working for several years on a planned scheme to dual the A358 between the Southfields roundabout in Ilminster and junction 25 of the M5 in Taunton, holding numerous public consultations to gain residents’ input.
Reports surfaced in early-March that the scheme – which has yet to be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate – was being cancelled, with one local land agent alleging he had “been told to settle all claims.”
Neither National Highways nor the Department for Transport have provided any clarity on the situation, leaving the scheme and thousands of Somerset motorists in limbo.
The scheme, which is expected to cost £328m to deliver, will see new junctions created to link the dual carriageway with the A378 towards Langport along with the villages of Hatch Beauchamp and Ashill along the existing route.
Most controversially, National Highways’ most recent designs involve digging up the Nexus 25 roundabout – delivered as part of a £19.2m upgrade of junction 25 – and replace it with a signal-controlled crossroads.
National Highways stated in December 2023 that it would not be submitting a formal planning application – known as a development consent order (DCO) – to the Planning Inspectorate before the end of the year.
A spokesman said at the time: “National Highways, with the support from the government, will not be submitting the DCO application for the A358 Taunton to Southfields dualling scheme as planned this year and we are working with the government on the next steps.
“We will continue to work with impacted landowners and communities to resolve any outstanding queries they may have regarding the current scheme proposal.”
The Chard and Ilminster News reported in early-March that the scheme had been “cancelled”, speaking to one of the land agents involved in the scheme (which wished to remain anonymous).
They said: “We have just been told that the A358 Taunton to Southfields is to be cancelled. Agents have been told to settle all claims.
“Any Henlade bypass will fall to Somerset Council to deliver.”
National Highways was approached by the Local Democracy Reporting Service for further comment, saying only that their position “hasn’t changed” since December 2023.
The Department for Transport was also approached for comment, stating: “This project is being led by National Highways.”
Read more: A358 plans 'will not be submitted' confirm National Highways